Second generation: identity and integration processes. A comparison between second generation students in Northern and Southern Italy

The presence of a second generation, in a specific context, testifies to a stable and active migration process and to a cultural change that involves the whole society at different levels. Moreover, these processes are related to double affiliation and to Social Identity (Tajfel, 1981) development dynamics. The aim of the research was to explore representational framework that a sample of second generation students, from different secondary schools of two cities in Northern and Southern Italy, has on migration experience, on the quality of integration processes and on some identity and group dimensions. Our hypothesis was that representation of migration and of integration processes quality correlated with identity dimensions and was affected by the specific cultural context where our subjects were settled. A questionnaire consisting of structured (closed questions, Rating Scales and Semantic Differentials) and semi-structured (open questions) techniques was used. Data showed, overall, good level of openness in terms of relationships with locals and a moderate trend functional to combine culture of origin and Italian one. It seems, therefore, that our subjects, rather than suspended between two cultural system (Baumann, 1999), feel themselves belonging to both. In particular, the need to develop both cultures seems felt more by those settled in the Southern city. These dynamics, which have on the background subject’s adolescent age and their dual cultural affiliation, highlighted complex processes of identity “testing” and development that seem in accord with Dual Identity model (Gaertner, Dovidio, Banker, Houlette, Johnson & McGlynn, 2000).